The paper presents the issue of unbraced and semi-rigid steel frames stability with special attention paid to the determination problem of columns buckling length Lcr in these frames. The paper discusses ways of buckling length determination in frames columns with the use of well known, European and American standard procedures, as well as numerical method of stability analysis based on the Finite Element Method (FEM). The presented procedures and analysis methods in calculations of certain steel frames with semi-rigid joints were used. On the basis of obtained results, it has been shown that in many practical cases, the simplified standard procedures of columns buckling length determination can give the results burdened with errors. These errors can have a significant influence on accuracy of columns resistance calculations. The issues presented in the paper are very important from the practical point of view, and according to the author, they can be used in the practical design of unbraced steel frames.

Steel frame wind bracing systems are usually made of hot rolled profiles connected to frame elements directly or through a gusset plate. The behaviour of angle bracing members is generally complex since controlled by tension or compression, bending and torsion. The common practice is to transform the problem of complex behaviour into the buckling strength of a truss member. This paper deals with an analytical formulation of the force-deformation characteristic of a single angle brace subjected to compression. A strut model takes into consideration the effect of brace end connections and softening effect of its force-deformation characteristic. Two different boundary conditions, typical for engineering practice, are dealt with. Experimental program of testing the behaviour of angle brace in portal sub-frame specimens is described. Results of experimental investigations are presented. They are used for the validation of developed model. Conclusions are formulated with reference to the application of validated brace model in the analysis of braced steel frameworks.

The problem of uniqueness and representativeness of steel frame fire resistance assessment is considered in this paper. The thesis, that the selection of analysis method determines the result in both qualitative and quantitative terms is given scrutiny. It is also shown, that the differences between computed values may be significant. The selection of an appropriate computational model for an analysis of this type seems to be especially important, as the possible overestimation of the fire resistance determined during computation is equivalent to an unjustified optimism of the user with respect to the safety level warranted. In the considerations presented here the critical temperature determined for the whole bearing structure is considered as the measure of sought resistance. The determined temperature is associated with the bearing structure reaching the bearing capacity limit state subject to fire conditions, treated as accidental design situation. Two alternative computational methods have been applied during calculations: the first one – classical, based on 1st order statics and using the buckling length concept for members of the considered frame, and the second one – taking account of 2nd order phenomena via simple amplification of the horizontal loads applied to the frame. Special attention has been paid to the influence exerted on the final fire resistance of the considered structure by the real joint rigidity, decreasing with increasing temperature of the structural members. The obtained results differ not only in the value of determined temperature but also in the indicated location of the weakest frame component, determining its safety.